Pharmacogenetic tests show hope for improvement in symptoms in people with drug-resistant depression

The 52-week double-blind study, which compared genetic testing to guide therapy as usual, was the first in Canada and 276 patients were diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, meaning their physical condition did not improve at least Two antidepressants

"Remission, or complete recovery of symptoms, is one of the most challenging endpoints in the treatment of major depressive disorder," said senior author James Kennedy, MD, director of the Tanenbaum Center for Pharmacogenetics at the Campbell Family Institute of Mental Health at CAMH

Pharmacogenetics is based on the premise that each person's metabolism or response to a drug may be based on their own genetic profile

Jay Elliott, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Myriad Genetics, said: "Myriad Genetics is proud to support this important study that advances our understanding of the utility of pharmacogenetic testing in Canadians with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder

"Using pharmacogenetics to treat treatment-resistant depression, we can more precisely determine which drug is right for each person's unique blueprint of the body's systems to introduce drugs into the brain to fight depression," Dr.

On the advice of her doctor, Toronto lawyer Cara Sweeny turned to CAMH's pharmacogenetics research

Sweeney, 52, said: "I remember one day I opened the back door to let my dog ​​out, which was a pretty normal thing, and I felt that happy feeling that came from my heart for the first time in a long time

The results of this Canadian study are considered preliminary due to the large sample size, but they reflect findings from a larger clinical trial of pharmacogenetics in the United States, which reported major depressive disorder compared with usual care The remission rate increased by 51%

"In Canada, pharmacogenetic testing is not currently included in the public health program," added Dr.

Funding for the study was provided by Assurex Health Ltd (now part of Myriad Genetics), CAMH, Genome Ontario and Genome Canada

Journal Reference :

1. Arun K.